Project Description
An action research project in partnership with the University of Chester and funded by the UKCES UK Futures Programme
Project-HCM undertook more than 60 activities with over 100 individuals from 20 companies in food and drink supply chains.
The project made use of iterative action research. We were able to test the applicability of Transactional Analysis and Behavioural Economics through a series of interventions that refined our understanding of what worked best. Not only did the project generate technical understanding, it delivered dramatic outcomes in the participating companies. We were able to help individuals and to make breakthroughs on issues that had plagued a particular supply chain for years.
The Project
Behavioural approach to:
Decision making | Supply Chain Management | Multi-generational working | Team effectiveness | Stakeholder Management.
- How can we ensure that everyone can voice their opinions and put forward their solutions?
- How do leaders and organisations cultivate the ‘wisdom of the crowds’ and create an engaged workforce?
- What are the ways in which biases and heuristics (rules of thumb) generate sub-optimal decisions?
- How can trust and respect drive actions within companies and supply chains?
- How do behavioural issues affect management of teams? Trust > Conflict > Commitment > Accountability > Results.
Activities included.
- 180 degree master classes
- Workshops / groups / one to one
- Action research (plan > act > observe > reflect)
- Schools event
- Leadership Convention
This mix proved useful in delving into the subject but it also helped us understand learning and development needs.
- Planning: Identifying activities.
- Action: Undertaking the activity.
- Observation: Identifying what happened.
- Review: Reflecting on what happened.
A number of iterations of the activity were typically undertaken, to ensure a useful outcome is achieved
UKCES is a publicly funded, industry-led organisation that offers guidance on skills and employment issues in the UK.
UKCES is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
From April 2014, UKCES have operated the UK Futures Programme. This programme will co-create with industry to research, develop, pilot and scale innovative solutions to tackling current and emerging workforce development issues that restrain business performance. For more information about the UK Futures Programme visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukces-futures-programme-an-introduction.
Post Project-HCM, we expanded the research into a behaviour leadership approach – see www.behaviouralleadership.com. This included writing a behavioural framework and developing programmes. We have developed tools, e-learning and resources. These are accessed via a themed Moodle learning portal – See www.behaviourallearning.com.
Outputs
Outcomes
say very effective or effective in raising their awareness of others in the workplace.
say very effective or effective in raising their awareness of themselves in the workplace.
say very effective or effective in improving their belief in their ability to change.
say very effective or effective in improving their ability to take personal responsibility for problem solving in the workplace.
Blog Posts
Working Styles / Drivers
Drivers can be helpful to us and when we have awareness of them and we can then use them as working styles. If we can [...]
Behavioural Buy-in Via Learn by Doing
We delivered at the Macron Stadium (Bolton) within our Project-HCM action research project. The workshop was delivered to a senior team to test the hypothesis that [...]
Behavioural Barriers to Growth
At the core of many of the barriers to growth are people. This is not simply a problem of recruiting and nurturing talent, although that [...]
Behavioural Framework
As part of the project we developed a Behavioural Framework. While we have moved things on with our Behavioural Leadership offer, it is still well worth a look.